THE LONG WAY HOME: Route 495 Rehabilitation Project Will Make Driving in Hudson County Even More Fun

“Sequel to the Summer of Hell,” says The New York Times.

As NJDOT prepares to put a stent in Hudson County’s aorta, there’s going to be a a few chest pains.

According to the Department of Transportation, “Route 495 is a 3.45-mile-long, divided urban freeway in Hudson County that connects the New Jersey Turnpike to the Lincoln Tunnel. Route 495 is four lanes at its western limit where it meets the NJ Turnpike (I-95) at exit 16E. The freeway is mostly six lanes, with an eight-lane section across the Route 495 Viaduct.”

Of interest to us here is the fact that Route 495 traverses four municipalities in Hudson County—Secaucus, North Bergen Township, Union City, and Weehawken Township. Drivers from Jersey City and Hoboken essentially rely on that road for a way in and out of their respective enclaves.

The Route 495 Viaduct is a nine span bridge that was constructed in 1938, and is rated as structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. The rehabilitation project will extend the useful service life of the bridge for an estimated 75 years and eliminate the need for potential emergency repairs.

But it’s going to suck.

While the initial phase of the project began last year, the “second phase”—the one entailing traffic restrictions—will begin “in the summer of 2018,” which means soon. The impact on the traffic is expected to last for about two and a half years, while the entire bridge deck is replaced.

As for detours, NJDOT basically says pick your poison.

Thankfully, the Pulaski Skyway Rehabilitation Project is nearing its conclusion, offering an alternative for some.

Those still facing this daunting gauntlet are recommended to monitor conditions on the NJDOT Route 495 Rehabilitation Project webpage or via their alert system (REGISTER HERE).

CLICK HERE for an informative video from NJDOT which offers further details… and ends by advising people to telecommute.

Godspeed.